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Ripple to Participate in the Digital Dollar Project’s CBDC Sandbox Program
2.9.2022
The non-profit organization promoting the creation of the digital dollar, the Digital Dollar Project, has announced the launch of a sandbox program to kickstart the probe of the technical implementations of the envisaged digital currency. The fintech firm Ripple is among the four participants that...
Nigerian Central Bank Slashes CBDC Transaction Fees by 50%
30.8.2022
The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it is slashing transaction fees for the e-naira platform by 50% — a move which the bank claims will increase the volume of transactions on the central bank digital currency (CBDC) platform. The central bank also believes that wider adoption of the CBDC...
CBDC Could Be ‘Holy Grail’ of Cross-Border Payments, ECB Says, Sees Bitcoin as Less Credible
4.8.2022
Several solutions can potentially improve cross-border payments significantly and central bank digital currency (CBDC) could be the “holy grail,” according to the European Central Bank (ECB). In a new report, the eurozone’s monetary authority also claims stablecoins, among...
European Central Bank bets on CBDCs over BTC for cross-border payments
2.8.2022
ECB’s interest in identifying the best cross-border payment solution stems from the fact that it serves as the central bank of the 19 European Union countries which have adopted the euro
Cryptocurrencies a ‘Good Alternative to Traditional Settlement Processes’ — Study
25.7.2022
Cryptocurrencies can be a good alternative to conventional settlement processes because they are underpinned by blockchain technology which enables the instant finalization of transactions without the involvement of intermediaries, a new report has said. Some players in the cross-border money...
South African Central Bank Now Considers Cryptocurrency to Be a Financial Asset
15.7.2022
The deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently said the institution has changed its position on cryptocurrency, and now regards it to be a financial asset which must be regulated as such. The SARB expects to have a cryptocurrency regulatory framework in place by the end...
Report: Nigerian Central Bank Incentive Scheme Failed to Halt Naira Depreciation
7.7.2022
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s attempt to incentivize the country’s forex market through the so-called “Naira for Dollar” scheme has failed. This is evidenced by the local currency’s plunge of more than 25% since the launch of the incentive scheme in March...
CBDC Ensures Nigeria Remains Competitive in Increasingly Digital World — Central Bank Governor
26.6.2022
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has insisted the recently introduced e-naira digital currency can potentially boost trade and investment activities in the country. He added the digital currency “would be necessary in the future to ensure Nigeria is competitive as the world...
Bank of Russia backs cross-border crypto payments vs. domestic trade
16.6.2022
Cryptocurrencies can be used in cross-border or international payments only if they don’t get into Russia’s domestic financial system, the Bank of Russia governor said
Russia Developing Sandbox for Cross-border Crypto Payments
15.6.2022
An institute facilitating Russian exports is now working on the establishment of a sandbox for international crypto payments, local media reported. The goal is to identify potential regulatory and technological challenges for settlements with digital assets. Russia Prepares to Test Crypto Payments...
Co-Founder of Africa Focused Fintech: Traditional Banks Not Optimized to Serve the Unbanked
2.6.2022
For years, traditional financial institutions in different parts of the world have been attempting to narrow the financial exclusion gap by extending their services to the unbanked population. Yet for many reasons, these institutions still cannot avail their products and services to everyone that...
Provision Allowing Cryptocurrency Payments in Foreign Trade Added to Russian Bill
29.5.2022
A proposal to permit companies to use cryptocurrency in cross-border settlements has made its way to a draft law designed to regulate Russia’s crypto space this year. According to a press report, the finance ministry has introduced a number of revisions to the legislation it has been working...
SWIFT Is Experimenting With Decentralized Technologies to Allow CBDC Interconnection
22.5.2022
SWIFT, the interbank payments protocol and messaging system, has announced it is working to connect the different central bank digital currency (CBDC) protocols in development today. The company has partnered with Capgemini, a digital services provider, making a series of experiments to ensure that...
Report: Saudi Arabia Exploring Possibility of Implementing Blockchain in Government
23.4.2022
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking into the possibility of implementing blockchain technology across its government as well as allowing the use of cryptocurrencies. However, an official said the kingdom can only successfully build blockchain-based solutions if it hires people that...
National Bank of Ukraine Temporarily Bans Cross-Border Crypto Purchases With Hryvnia
22.4.2022
The central bank of Ukraine has introduced additional restrictions on international transactions that will prevent Ukrainians from buying crypto assets abroad with the national fiat. The measures are intended to reduce capital outflow amid an ongoing military conflict with Russia. Ukraine Citizens...
Russian Chamber of Commerce Suggests Using Cryptocurrencies in Settlements With Africa
14.4.2022
Employing crypto in cross-border payments is one of the proposals put forward by the Russian Chamber Of Commerce lobbying for more cooperation with African countries. Amid unprecedented sanctions limiting Russia’s ability to trade internationally, the head of the board has urged...
Study: 54% of UAE and Saudi Arabia Survey Respondents Said Crypto Should Be Used for Payments
12.4.2022
An average of 54% of survey respondents from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said they believe cryptocurrency should be used as currency. Still, a significant proportion of the respective countries’ respondents believe certain obstacles are stopping cryptocurrencies from...
Report: Number of African Cryptocurrency Users up by Nearly 2,500%
22.3.2022
The number of cryptocurrency users in Africa grew by almost 2,500% between January 2021 and January 2022, while the average number of monthly transactions went up by 1,400%, a new report by Kucoin has said. Widespread Adoption of Cryptocurrencies According to a new report by crypto exchange Kucoin...
Cross-Border CBDC Payments Are 'Viable,' Says Report From Central Banks of Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa
22.3.2022
The tool to enable paying using different assets, tested by Australia, South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia, is the latest foray into trialling the applications of central bank digital currencies
BIS joint pilot: Institutions can use CBDCs for international settlements
22.3.2022
The experimental CBDC platform proved that the design approaches used to address three major issues: access, jurisdictional boundaries, and governance were effective